A/N: Thanks for the review, LonelyDove. It helped to give me the energy to work on this story. And I needed it, since I'm still feeling the writer's doldrums and don't feel like working on much. Any reviews would help at this point. Thanks -DL

Chapter 5

After lunch(during which Jazz flirted with all of his might with Xavier, with limited results) they returned to the office together. “Jazz, do you mind working in my office by yourself for awhile?” Xavier asked him in the cab.

He glanced in surprise at the other man. “Yes, I suppose so. Why?”

“I like to work out during the afternoons. I try to keep myself in shape, even if I don’t fight anymore. I had a gym put in at the office, and any of my employees can use it. That way I don’t have to go to a gym across town after work when I’m tired.”

“Oh,” Jazz said. “I see. In that case, I’ll work by myself. I’ll be fine.”

“Great. I’ll have Angela bring you something to drink and an afternoon snack.” Xavier replied.

Jazz fell silent. He was having visions of watching Xavier Paretiss work out. He licked at his lips, his heart kicking up. His body stirred to life with a vengeance, making him squirm on the seat of the cab in discomfort. His eyes slid sideways and ran over the large, firm body of the man sitting next to him. Most of it was hidden under the suit, but of course he wouldn’t wear a suit to work out in…he almost moaned aloud, his breathing becoming erratic. His brain was working overtime, conjuring up image after image of a sweaty Xavier working out. Dear God, he was going to have an accident in his pants right here in the cab!

Fortunately for him, Xavier didn’t seem to notice how worked up he was getting. “Here we are,” he said as the cab drew up in front of the building that housed his business.

Xavier got out of the cab and came around to open his door for him. Jazz was touched by this gentlemanly gesture. “Thank you,” he said with a smile as he stepped out of the cab. His frothing fever had subsided for the moment, thank God. The front of these pants was way too tight to hide anything from Xavier’s eyes. And he could walk freely across the sidewalk and not hobble like a bent-over, arthritic old man…

Xavier nodded. He led the way into the lobby of the building, and he greeted the security guards at the desk by name. Jazz was astonished. He’d never expected Xavier to be so personable. This man just had so many layers! He was quite intriguing. Now, if only he returned Jazz’s interest…but he didn’t. He didn’t like sluts. That was the truth of the matter, and he just had to accept it. Even if it made him feel bad in the pit of his stomach for some reason…

Xavier took him up to his office and got Jazz settled in the leather chair again. “I’ll tell Angela to bring you something,” he remarked. “What would you like? Coffee, tea, juice, or water?”

“How about all of those but tea?” Jazz replied.

“All right. I’ll tell her. I should be back in about an hour-and-a-half. Then we can discuss the ideas you’ve come up with so far.” Xavier left the office, and Jazz sat frowning down at his sketch pad.

He was being stupid. He knew that. Xavier had made it clear to him that he wasn’t interested in Jazz’s kind of man. He might already have put Xavier completely out of his mind, if he weren’t working for the man. But he was, and his attraction to Xavier Paretiss was as strong as ever. If only he could somehow change Xavier’s mind…but he didn’t see that happening. The man was not only strong in body, he was obviously very strong-minded and willed as well. Changing his mind would probably be impossible.

He sighed, doodling a sexy, naked male body on his pad. The door opened, and the receptionist came in with a cart laden with a coffee carafe, some bottled water, and some glass bottles of fruit juice. There was also a plate with pieces of cut-up fresh fruit, some crackers and cheese, and some lovely-looking chocolates that Jazz eyed with the look a shark would have turned on a particularly juicy-looking fish. He’d always had a sweet tooth, and chocolate of any kind was one of his weaknesses.

He forgot about Xavier for a bit as he gnoshed on the lovely chocolates and drank a cup of coffee. But once the sweets were gone, his mind poked him sharply. It pointed out what Xavier was doing right now, and couldn’t they maybe go and indulge in a little voyeurism? It was all harmless, right? He bit at his lower lip a little, debating whether he should or not. But finally he couldn’t stop himself anymore, and he surged to his feet. He’d just take a peek. It would be fine. Xavier would never know, and he’d have something to fuel his fantasies for some time to come…

He went out of the office and asked Angela, the receptionist, where the personal gym was. “I’m thinking I might want to work out there tomorrow,” he lied blithely, smiling at her.

“It’s just down the hall, fourth door on the left.” she told him with a return smile.

“Thank you. I’ll go and check it out,” he said, strolling away.

He walked slowly down the hallway, arriving at the fourth door on the left. His breathing picked up, and he reached out to put his hand on the doorknob. He turned it slowly, then eased the door open a crack. Feeling like a peeping tom, Jazz put his eyes to the crack and peered into the room.

He saw a large room full of exercise equipment, with a clear area with mats on the floor to one side. Xavier was sitting on a bench using a hand weight, slowly lifting it over and over again. Jazz gasped, because the other man was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts! Sweat gleamed on his broad chest, rolling with muscle; his abdomen with its defined six-pack; and on his well-muscled arms. Dark hair swirled lightly down his chest toward the waistband of the shorts. He had scars here and there, but they just made him more sexy. He was an animal, a sexy beast. Jazz’s mouth went bone-dry, and his cock surged in his tight pants. He groaned silently, feeling light-headed. His eyes were riveted on Xavier, as he imagined being covered by that huge body, pressed down by it, as Xavier took him like the animal he was…

Jesus! He reeled away from the door, staggering away toward the door with the bathroom symbol on it nearby. He shot into the bathroom and pushed into one of the empty stalls, closing the door behind him. He stood there breathing heavily, his hands going down to fumble at the laces at the front of his pants. He needed out of them, RIGHT NOW! He moaned in desperate relief as he managed to get the laces undone. He pulled out his cock, glad that his pants were too tight for him to wear underwear. He spit into his hand and began to stroke himself, gritting his teeth at the feel of his hand moving on himself.

He shuddered, his hand moving faster. Oh, God, he needed to come! Thoughts of Xavier’s sexy, sweat-limned body ran through his head, and he groaned in the back of his throat. His head went back, and his hips pushed forward into the tight grip of his hand. “Ooo, fucckkk,” he hissed, staggering as he began to shoot. The pleasure was so all-encompassing that it was a wonder he didn’t black out. He fell back against the door, panting, his whole body half-limp as the aftershocks raced down his nerve endings.

Jazz stood with closed eyes, recovering. He cursed himself inside of his head for going to peek on Xavier while he worked out. Now he’d have those images in his head all the time, driving him crazy with lust. He banged the back of his head against the closed door of the stall, wishing that he’d just stayed in Xavier’s office. Life was going to be very hard for him for the next few weeks while he worked with Xavier. Very hard indeed.

Wearily he fumbled for some toilet paper to clean himself up, then laced himself back into his tight pants. He opened the door of the stall and stepped out, intent on washing his face and hands. But he came to a shocked halt when he saw the man standing near the door, staring at him. Xavier’s face was unreadable, his eyes half-lidded. “Hello, Jazz,” he said.

“Uh…uh…” he began, extremely incoherently. “H-Hello, Xavier.”

“Why did you feel the need to come into this bathroom?” Xavier asked. “I have a private bathroom in my office, which you well know.”

“Uh, yes. I…” he wracked his brain for a reason he was in this bathroom when he could use the one in Xavier’s office, but his sex-addled brain came up empty. He gazed helplessly at Xavier, unable to answer.

“But this bathroom is only a few steps from the gym,” Xavier mused, his voice cool. “Could that have anything to do with it, I wonder? Did you decide to get a look at me working out, Jazz? Is that it?”

He swallowed heavily. Xavier read his face clearly. “I see. And why did you come in here right afterward?” his eyes ran over Jazz’s body thoughtfully, stopping at his crotch. “Doesn’t suede stain?” he remarked.

Jazz felt color surge up in his cheeks as he looked down to see a dark stain at his crotch. He must not have mopped up everything completely… “So you liked what you saw?” Xavier continued relentlessly.

Jazz’s eyes flew up to fixate on that magnificent half-bare body, and felt his body stir to life again even though it’d only been a few minutes. He gulped, unable to look away from that sexy form. “I guess so,” Xavier went on, then stepped toward him.

“Jazz,” he began, his voice taking on a slightly throaty quality that made him shiver helplessly, “I’m going to admit something to you. I am completely attracted to you.”

His eyes rose to meet Xavier’s, shock in their depths. Xavier’s chiseled lips lifted in a slight, feral smile. “You’re totally sexy, stunningly beautiful, and extremely talented. Of course I refused to sleep with you at that club, because while I might be thoroughly attracted, I will not sleep with someone who is promiscuous,” he was drawing closer and closer, and Jazz’s breath left his body altogether as Xavier approached. “But..” he trailed off, making Jazz’s attention return to his face.